Accessory mount for a firearm

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an accessory mount configured to attach a flashlight to the handguard of a firearm, in particular a rifle. An example accessory mount comprises: a base configured to be removably coupled to a handguard of a firearm; and an accessory interface configured to provide multiple lateral mounting positions for an accessory, such as a flashlight. The accessory interface comprises two parallel rows of overlapping holes. Each of the two parallel rows of overlapping holes includes at least two overlapping holes aligned linearly with each other, each of the overlapping holes includes a tapered inlet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application claiming the benefit of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/176,289, filed on Feb. 16, 2021, which claimsthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/979,648, filedon Feb. 21, 2020, the entireties of both applications are incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to implementations of an accessory mount. Inparticular, the present invention is primarily directed to an accessorymount that can be used to position a flashlight on the handguard of afirearm.

BACKGROUND

Flashlights are routinely used in conjunction with a firearm (e.g., ahandgun, a rifle, etc.) to aid in low-light target identification,thereby allowing an operator to simultaneously aim the firearm andilluminate the target. Mounting a flashlight directly to the firearmleaves the operator free to use both hands to operate the weapon. Theseflashlights are often referred to as weapon mounted lights. Weaponmounted lights are routinely positioned so that any light beam emittedtherefrom is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bore. Most modelscan be operated by a push-button tailcap switch, a remote tape switchconnected thereto by a cable, or a combination thereof.

Ideally, a weapon mounted light is positioned as close as is possible tothe handguard of a firearm, without making contact therewith. Inparticular, it is often desirable for the weapon mounted light to bepositioned close to the top of the handguard or the front sight, laseraiming device, or other accessory attached thereto. However, due to thevariety of handguard designs or any accessories attached thereto (e.g.,front sight, laser aiming device, etc.), optimal placement of a weaponmounted light on the handguard can be difficult.

Accordingly, it can be seen that needs exist for the accessory mountdisclosed herein. It is to the provision of an accessory mountconfigured to address these needs, and others, that the presentinvention is primarily directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview ofthe disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it isintended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosurenor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is toexplain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as anintroduction to the following complete and extensive detaileddescription.

Disclosed is an accessory mount configured to attach a flashlight to thehandguard of a firearm, in particular a rifle. The exemplaryimplementation of the accessory mount can be removably coupled to ahandguard having an M-Lok® engagement interface and is configured toplace a flashlight secured thereon at a 45-degree angle relative to theM-Lok® engagement interface. While the exemplary implementation of theaccessory mount is configured for attachment to an M-Lok® engagementinterface, it should be understood that alternate implementations of theaccessory mount could be configured for attachment to a differentfirearm accessory engagement interface (e.g., a KeyMod interface or aMIL-STD-1913 rail interface). Further, alternate implementations of theaccessory mount could be configured to place the flashlight at an angleother than 45 degrees relative to the accessory engagement interface towhich the accessory mount is attached.

An example accessory mount comprises: a base configured to be removablycoupled to a handguard of a firearm; and an accessory interfaceconfigured to provide multiple lateral mounting positions for anaccessory, such as a flashlight. The accessory interface comprises twoparallel rows of overlapping holes. Each of the two parallel rows ofoverlapping holes includes at least two overlapping holes alignedlinearly with each other, each of the overlapping holes includes atapered inlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view showing an exemplary implementationof a flashlight mount according to the principles of the presentdisclosure; the flashlight mount is shown being used to attach aflashlight to the handguard of a firearm.

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the flashlight mount shown inFIG. 1; wherein the flashlight is shown removably coupled to theaccessory interface of the flashlight mount by two fasteners.

FIG. 3 illustrates another isometric view of the flashlight andflashlight mount shown in FIG. 2; wherein the fasteners are shownexploded from the flashlight and the flashlight mount.

FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary screw type fastenerused to secure the flashlight to the accessory interface of theflashlight mount.

FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of the flashlight mount shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates a right side view of the flashlight mount shown inFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the flashlight mount shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 illustrates another isometric view of the flashlight mount shownin FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 illustrates a rear view of the flashlight mount shown in FIG. 5.

Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-3 and 5-9 illustrate an exemplary implementation of a flashlightmount 100 according to the principles of the present disclosure. Asshown in FIG. 1, the flashlight mount 100 is configured to attach aflashlight 110 to the handguard 122 of a firearm 120, in particular arifle. The exemplary implementation of the flashlight mount 100 can beremovably coupled to a handguard 122 having an M-Lok® engagementinterface 124 and is configured to place a flashlight 110 securedthereon at a 45-degree angle relative to the M-Lok® engagement interface124. While the exemplary implementation of the flashlight mount 100 isconfigured for attachment to an M-Lok® engagement interface 124, itshould be understood that an alternate implementation of the flashlightmount 100 could be configured for attachment to a different firearmaccessory engagement interface (e.g., a KeyMod interface or aMIL-STD-1913 rail interface). Further, an alternate implementation ofthe flashlight mount 100 could be configured to place the flashlight atan angle other than 45 degrees relative to the accessory engagementinterface 124 to which the flashlight mount 100 is attached.

As shown in FIGS. 5-9, in some implementations, the flashlight mount 100comprises: a base 130 that can be removably coupled to a handguard 122of a firearm; and an extension 132 that includes an accessory interface134 configured to provide multiple lateral mounting positions for aflashlight 110. While the accessory interface 134 of the flashlightmount 100 is shown with three lateral mounting positions for aflashlight 110, it should be understood that an alternate implementationof the flashlight mount 110 could be configured to provide less thanthree, or more than three, lateral mounting positions.

As shown best in FIGS. 8 and 9, the base 130 includes pairs ofprotrusions 136 configured to be inserted into elongated slots 126conforming to the M-LOK standard. The pairs of protrusions 136, inconjunction with suitable sets of fasteners 138 (e.g. a screw and anut), are used to removably couple the flashlight mount 100 to theM-Lok® engagement interface 124 of the handguard 122 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1and 2). One of ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of thepresent disclosure and without undue experimentation, could make aflashlight mount 100 having a base 130 that can removably couple to anM-Lok® engagement interface 124, or another firearm accessory engagementinterface (e.g., a KeyMod interface or a MIL-STD-1913 rail interface).

As shown best in FIGS. 1 and 6, the extension 132 is angled 45 degreesrelative to the base 130 of the flashlight mount 100. In this way, theflashlight 110 attached to the accessory interface 134 of the extension132 is positioned at a 45-degree angle, relative to the base 130, whilecoupled to the handguard 122 by the flashlight mount 100. In someimplementations, the extension 132 may be at an angle other than 45degrees relative to the base 130 of the flashlight mount 100.

As shown best in FIGS. 5 and 7-9, the accessory interface 134 of theextension 132 comprises two parallel rows of overlapping holes 140, eachrow includes three overlapping holes 142 aligned linearly with eachother. In this way, the accessory mounting interface 134 provides threelateral mounting positions for a flashlight 110. Each hole 142 extendsthrough the accessory interface 134 and includes a tapered inlet 144configured to receive the tapered head 152 of a screw type fastener 150(see, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 3). The tapered inlet 144 of a hole 138 receivesthe tapered head 152 of a fastener 150 and thereby prevents the lateraldisplacement of the fastener 150 within a row of overlapping holes 140(see, e.g., FIG. 2).

It should be understood that, the lateral mounting positions provided bythe two parallel rows of overlapping holes 140 in the accessoryinterface 134 of the flashlight mount 100 allow the user to laterallyadjust the position of an attached flashlight 110 relative to thehandguard 122. In this way, the flashlight 110 can be positioned toclear other accessories attached to the handguard.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the tapered head 152 of a screw type fastener 150is complementary to the tapered inlet 144 of each hole 142 in theaccessory interface 134 of the flashlight mount 100. When being used tosecure the flashlight 110 to the flashlight mount 100, the tapered head152 causes the fastener 150 to self-center within the tapered inlet 144of the receiving hole 142 in the accessory interface 134. Also, thetapered head 152 of the fastener 150 provides an increased surface areathat engages with the tapered inlet 144 of the receiving hole 142 andthereby reduces the probability of the fastener 150 coming unscrewed asa result of incidental vibration resulting from the discharge of afirearm to which the flashlight mount 100 is attached. The tapered head152 of a fastener 150 has a frustoconical shape (see, e.g., FIG. 4).

As shown in FIGS. 6-9, the base 130 and the extension 132 of theflashlight mount 100 are a single unitary piece of machined aluminum.But, in some implementations, the flashlight mount 100 could bemanufactured from a suitable polymeric material.

While a flashlight 110 having an Arisaka brand light body is shown inFIGS. 1-3, it should be understood that the flashlight mount 100 can beattached to any flashlight body that includes the same, or similar,mounting lugs 112 (e.g., the body of a Surefire® scout Light®).

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or“implementation” or words of similar import means that a particulardescribed feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at leastone embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in someimplementations” or a phrase of similar import in various placesthroughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the sameembodiment.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combinedin any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the abovedescription, numerous specific details are provided for a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in therelevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the inventioncan be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or withother methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances,well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown ordescribed in detail.

While operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order,this should not be understood as requiring that such operations beperformed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or thatall illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.

1. An accessory mount comprising: a base configured to be removablycoupled to a handguard of a firearm; and an accessory interfaceconfigured to provide multiple lateral mounting positions for anillumination accessory; wherein: the accessory interface comprises twoparallel rows of overlapping holes, each of the two parallel rows ofoverlapping holes includes at least two overlapping holes alignedlinearly with each other, each of the overlapping holes includes atapered inlet.
 2. The accessory mount of claim 1, further comprising anextension that includes the accessory interface, the extension is at anangle relative to the base.
 3. The accessory mount of claim 2, whereinthe base and the extension are a single unitary piece.
 4. An accessorymount comprising: a base that can be removably coupled to a handguard ofa firearm; and an accessory interface configured to provide threelateral mounting positions for an illumination accessory; wherein: theaccessory interface comprises two parallel rows of overlapping holes,each of the two parallel rows of overlapping holes includes threeoverlapping holes aligned linearly with each other, each of theoverlapping holes includes a tapered inlet.
 5. The accessory mount ofclaim 4, further comprising an extension that includes the accessoryinterface, the extension is at an angle relative to the base.
 6. Theaccessory mount of claim 5, wherein the base and the extension are asingle unitary piece.
 7. An accessory mount comprising: a base that canbe removably coupled to a handguard of a firearm; an accessory interfaceconfigured to provide three lateral mounting positions for anillumination accessory; and two threaded fasteners, each of the twothreaded fasteners includes a tapered head; wherein: the accessoryinterface comprises two parallel rows of overlapping holes, each of thetwo parallel rows of overlapping holes includes three overlapping holesaligned linearly with each other, each of the overlapping holes includesa tapered inlet configured to receive the tapered head of one of the twothreaded fasteners.
 8. The accessory mount of claim 7, furthercomprising an extension that includes the accessory interface, theextension is angled 45 degrees relative to the base.
 9. The accessorymount of claim 7, wherein the tapered head of each of the two threadedfasteners is complementary to the tapered inlet of each of theoverlapping holes in the accessory interface.
 10. The accessory mount ofclaim 9, wherein the tapered head of each of the two threaded fastenershas a frustoconical shape.
 11. The accessory mount of claim 8, whereinthe base and the extension are a single unitary piece.